Both sweaters were thrifted for under $3 and I remember one being cashmere and the other cotton. Even better, they are both a blank canvas for more dyeing experiments. One downside, I cannot get the thrift store smell out of them, it is so sickly sweet, ick.
I'm not really sure what I want to do with the cotton yarn yet, but I decided to ply the cashmere yarn. It definitely needed to be plied because it was a little weak and prone to snapping. It looks more attractive and easy to work with than it was before.
There wasn't a sweater's worth of yarn here, I'm thinking that some of the sweater is hiding somewhere in my parent's house. If I had to estimate yardage, I would say: ~675 yards (an awkward amount to have).
It looks a lot like the cashmere sweater I upcycled last year. I didn't estimate the cost and savings this time but I can imagine that it was a bargin considering it is a fairly good quality cashmere. As with most of the yarn I spin or upcycle, I haven't really put much thought into what I'll use it for.
A great discovery!
ReplyDeleteThanks for reminding me that I have some wool sweaters that I need to ravel. I also want to try over-dyeing some of the wool. I am somewhat of a chicken to do that.
Perfect yardage for an amazingly big, cozy shawl!
ReplyDeleteYAY! That will be so much fun to dye. I agree with Alicia about the shawl. You know what would be even cooler. Dying it AFTER knitting it!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy your upcycling posts! this yarn looks fab!
ReplyDeleteGetting smell out of yarn is really tough. I think that once you've plied it, you could try leaving it in open skein form. I found that it can sometimes air out the mustiness.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
Just dye it with Kook-Aid. That always makes the yarn smell yummy!
ReplyDeleteSuch a great idea to upcycle! If you use vinegar when you dye, it might help to get rid of the smell, although it will smell of vinegar instead!
ReplyDeleteA shawl is a great idea as others have mentioned.
ReplyDeleteYou're so lucky to have found cashmere! I have had a hard time finding a sweater to unravel at my local thrift stores. I'm guessing there are other knits around here with the same idea:)
What a treasure!!! I wonder what you'll do with it? Can't wait to see!
ReplyDeleteIt looks gorgeous. I hope the scent fades with time, because it looks dreamy!
ReplyDeleteIt's like Christmas all over again!
ReplyDeleteLovely! Maybe a wool wash would help get rid of the smell?
ReplyDeleteWhat great finds, like others have said, I think once you have dyed it the smell should be gone. Have fun with these projects!
ReplyDeleteWhat a find! I agree with a bunch of the other comments here-- hopefully dyeing will take out the smell. Washing it with something like Soak or Eucalan might help too. I hope it works out, because that yarn is lovvvvely!
ReplyDeleteThis looks real beautiful. You keep reminding me I need to play with my drop spindle. And I so need to up cycle an old thrift store sweater one day. Do you wash the yarn first to get it unkinked?
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